THE SINGAPORE YOUTH CORONARY RISK AND PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY STUDY

Citation
Gj. Schmidt et al., THE SINGAPORE YOUTH CORONARY RISK AND PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY STUDY, Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 30(1), 1998, pp. 105-113
Citations number
31
Categorie Soggetti
Sport Sciences
ISSN journal
01959131
Volume
30
Issue
1
Year of publication
1998
Pages
105 - 113
Database
ISI
SICI code
0195-9131(1998)30:1<105:TSYCRA>2.0.ZU;2-G
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine coronary risk factors and phy sical activity patterns of primary and secondary school children in Si ngapore. Children 6-18 yr (730 boys, 849 girls) were evaluated for ant hropometry, percent body fat, resting blood pressure, fasting plasma l ipids and lipoproteins and glucose. A physical activity and leisure pu rsuits self-reported survey was used to group children into five categ ories ranging from ''inactive'' to ''vigorous'' activity. The self-rep orted questionnaire also recorded individual responses to exercise beh aviors, leisure activities, and participation in organized games and s ports. Body weight, body mass index (BMI; kg.m(-2)), and percent body fat were compared by age and gender. The blood analysis showed no sign ificant differences in boys' and girls' plasma lipid and lipoprotein c oncentrations. Physical activity was significantly correlated with tot al cholesterol (r(s) = -0.13, P = 0.018) and triglycerides (r(s) = -0. 18, P = 0.001) for boys and between physical activity with body fat (r (s) = -0.22, P = 0.0001) and BMI (r(s) = -0.16, P = 0.01) for girls. H eight, weight, BMI, percent body fat, and blood pressure were greater for each age to 14 yr, after which there was less recorded body fat fo r boys. Girls' body fat remained about the same after 14 yr. Comparing by gender and age, significant differences were found between physica l activity groups and total cholesterol and body fat. Although few chi ldren were at risk for heart disease, this study provides baseline cor onary risk and physical activity data for further longitudinal analysi s in this population.